George Long hopes for an early return to Bramall Lane after targeting the No.1 jersey at his new club, Hull City.

Long, a United academy graduate, signed for the Tigers last week after being told he was surplus to requirements with Chris Wilder's Blades.

The goalkeeper signed a three-year deal after linking up with former Blades boss Nigel Adkins at the KCOM Stadium, and Hull travel to Bramall Lane on August 14 in the Carabao Cup and October 6 in the league. The return fixture is on April 22.

And Long, in an interview with the Hull Daily Mail, is confident he can wrestle the No.1 shirt from David Marshall.

“The manager’s said that Marshy will be the number one to start with but it’s down to me to try and impress,” Long said.

“I’ve got to try and push Marshy and show the coaches what I’m capable of. They’ve seen me at Sheffield United and I believe I’m more than capable of getting that number one shirt.

George Long

“I’ve not come here to sit on the bench. I may well be to start the season but I feel I’m more than capable of holding down a first-team place in the Championship.”

Long was Adkins' No.1 during his ill-fated season in charge of Bramall Lane. He also started in the team when Chris Wilder took over, but was soon replaced by Simon Moore and spent last season on loan at AFC Wimbledon.

“It’s a brilliant feeling to come here under Nigel,” Long added.

“I played for him at Sheffield United and for him to come in and sign me gives me a big boost of confidence. I’m just looking forward to getting started.

“I knew it was in the pipeline for me to go this summer. I’d gone out on loan last season and the manager [Wilder] said to me that I could look elsewhere to further my career.”